An important figure in the history and development of UW- La Crosse passed away Tuesday, March 29.

Longtime UW-L administrator Carl Wimberly passed away in a La Crosse nursing home. He was 92 years old.

Over the span of his 39-years at UW-L, Wimberly held many different roles. His various roles ranged from professor, dean, provost and even acting Chancellor for a period of time.

Carl Wimberly was known as a very special type of administrator. UW-L professor Scott Dickmeyer said, “Wimberly’s influence on UWL was profound. His commitment to the university extended well beyond the classroom as he dedicated his life to serving the university as a professor, administrator, cheerleader and generous donor.”

Wimberly’s profound commitment to UW-L warranted the UW System Board of Regent’s decision in 2000 to rename the building formerly known as North Hall after Carl Wimberly.

It gratified Wimberly to know that his name was going to be on the building that housed the Social Science and English departments. In response to the Board’s decision, Wimberly said, “I hope it will also honor all those faculty who served at the same time I did.”

Over the years since his retirement in 1992, Wimberly kept up his relentless commitment to UW-L by serving on the UW-L Foundation’s Board of Directors. During his time on the board he spent two years as the organization’s president as well.

Chancellor Joe Gow commented on Wimberly as an administrator “I always say that we rarely hear the phrase ‘beloved administrator’ but that’s exactly how everyone referred to Carl. He was an extraordinary human being and one of the most skilled administrators in UW-L history.”

Services for Mr. Wimberly will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 7 as well as visitation times from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6 and again at 10 a.m. until the service begins on April 7. All services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church.